How to Purchase the Best Stroller for Your Family’s Needs – 5 Questions

Picking out a stroller is a rite of passage for expectant moms or dads. Along with the variety of baby stroller brands comes the many types you can buy from each brand. If weeks have passed since your search has begun, but you are no closer to choosing a stroller, this guide might clear the buyer’s fog.

Here are 5 questions that can help narrow down your choice.

Do I want a stroller that will double as a car seat for my baby?

An all-in-one travel system stroller consists of a stroller, seat base, plus an infant car seat. While these all-in-one strollers are typically heavy and can take up quite a bit of space, they have advantages that you may want. The infant car seat can typically be unsnapped from the stroller and placed in the car, all without waking up Little Junior to do so. This option is not for you, however, if you live in the city and don’t own a car. Or rarely use the car for your day-to-day errand shopping.

How active do I plan to be with my baby?

Are you a walker? Is part of your fitness plan to walk instead of taking the car to run errands? If so, you will want a stroller that is light weight and easy to maneuver. Additionally, if you live in the city, on top of a light weight stroller, you will want something that is easy to collapse. So that you can take the subway, cab, or bus as necessary.

Do I plan to jog with my baby?

Heard of the mom who ran a marathon while pushing her 3 kids in a triple stroller? Goals. If you aspire to be as awesome as this heroic mom, then you will want to choose the right type of stroller for the job. Some joggers include a detachable infant car seat, but most focus on being lightweight and easy to maneuver. But if you will need to drive to your jogging track, then you will want your jogger to have an infant car seat. And it will need to collapse and fit into your trunk. Most joggers weigh less than 15 lbs. As you consider your options, keep this number in mind.

If possible, take the jogger on a test run around the store. Or if you have mommy friends with a jogger, see about trying out the brand they use and evaluate the various points of concern as they come up. Runner’s World provides other points to consider if you are looking for the right jogger for your family.

Do I plan to replace the stroller a couple years in?

Some parents buy a stroller with the plan of replacing it with a lighter weight one once their child is 2 or 3 years old. Other parents want a stroller that will last until their child can keep up on their own two feet. In your case, how are you leaning? Buying something that will last from 0-5 years will be an initial investment. But it will also mean you can have your stroller-shopping days behind you. On the other hand, such strollers that are designed for 0-5 years might not be tailored to other needs. For example, as a jogger, or a stroller that can fold down into a small size.

Do I plan on expanding my family?

Do you plan on expanding your family in a couple years? If both your children will be close together in years, a stroller that can seat two will be a necessity. Strollers that can seat two come in a wide variety of types. There are side-by-side double strollers that are often ideal for twins. Tandem strollers have one seat placed behind the other and can fit into smaller walkways or aisles with greater ease than a side-by-side. A double-decker stroller allows for an infant car seat to be attached to the top of a stroller frame. This one is good for when the baby wants to see Mommy’s face, and older sister is still too young for longer walks.

Having a distinct idea of the type of lifestyle you will be living and the needs you will face daily will help to guide your choice. Don’t forget about researching each model. Once you’re clear on your answers to these questions, you will have an easier time picking out a model that will be the right fit for your family.

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